Monday, March 31, 2014

I promised I'd talk more about Fox and Unicorn, and I try to fulfill my promises :) So here it is, and given it's Monday and they are on eBay, what better way to review their stuff than through my weekly Monday roundup?

But first thing first. Who are Fox and Unicorn? Well, I don't speak german (yet!), but I think they are some kind of German prop house. This is their website (not in english):

I do know though that they have a good array of Xena original props, acquired during the Turner Auction. And also that they are very nice with inquiries, so I invite you to contact them if you fancy any of their items!

> Opinion: Nice looking norse style gauntlets. They could come from either Xena or Hercules (this was typical in the Turners Auction - they sold a lot of uncategorized props). Pricey, like all items from the Fox and Unicorn, but they accept offers, which means they are flexible to a certain point.

> Opinion: Now this is VERY cool! Thanks to my good ally Google Translate we can know what the description says: "Unique - unique piece! Odin's Horn approx 34cm long drinking horn with golden dragon. Made of real horn, the dragon is made from resin artfully. Suitable only for decoration, not for use as a drinking horn" We also know this comes specifically from Odin, which reduces the search to a handful of episodes. I'm thinking it's more likely it comes from Xena, as there are some scenes of Odin feasting at Valhalla. But if you find for sure, please let me know.

> Opinion: This is interesting as well - a full Amazon costume! It seems to include some jewelry and a mask (which makes me think of the Greek Amazons, as they were the only ones seen with masks). It probably belonged to a background Amazon, most likely unnamed. Cool set, even if we don't know for sure the character.

> Opinion: Unknown character. They don't say it's an Amazon item here, so I guess it's not. Maybe from the Hordes? Or some other female warrior? Are we sure this is female at all? Anyway, the piece looks nice. Leather crafters at Renaissance Pictures were more artists than artisans!

> Opinion: This vest seems to come from Hercules (though it looks to me more from Young Hercules than H:TLJ). Description says: "Very high quality fabric, the edges are sewn with genuine leather. The vest can also be with a leather strap lace up front (Not included) Size M - L"

> Opinion: The last item are a pair of leather gloves that belonged to Iphicles/King Iphicles aka Hercules Brother, played by Kevin Smith. Quite expensive, surely because they were Kevin's. There are no many Kevin Smith worn props around. Certainly, a little jewel.

It seems that Robert Baldock (65, director of Westside Studios and a veteran of the props business for 20 years) is closing his business, and will be selling about 600 props. His collection includes items from productions such as Xena, Hercules, Dark Knight, The Tribe and many other NZ based series.

An initial sale will be held by tender in Wellington's Shelly Bay (where he's been supplying props and equipment to the film and television industry), with a giant garage sale to follow. Auctions will include items as quaint as five coffins, a life-size gorilla, a hip's wheel, imitation guns, a spacesuit, a devil's head, an Aztec or a 300-year-old Bible.

> Opinion: This seller has posted several Creation Ent replicas. This is the first: a late number of the Y&Y replica. Note that, as happened last week, this chakram will have the NZ stamp on the blade.

> Opinion: I hadn't seen one of these in a while. Cool piece too, but compared to the rest (and the prices Creation replicas originally sold for) this one is expensive. As a side note, this breast dagger has the highest number I've ever encountered.

> Opinion: Apart from the above mentioned Creation replicas, this seller has listed an original prop staff fro the show. There's no mention of any kind of COA, but assuming it's real I'm very positive this is a stunt staff. Why? Several reasons, but mainly two. First, it's made of foam - a material only used for stunt fights. And second, it has a rough unfinished look, which means this prop was not meant to be seen onscreen. Overall, it looks heavily used and not too well conserved, but it's cheap and if it's original it could look cool hanging on any collector's wall.

> Opinion: Interesting props. They look somehow imperfect and present some wear and tear. Seller says one of the katana is one piece with the sheath (doesn't come out) and it's made of resin. The other doesn't have a sheath, and it's made of resin and aluminum (i'm guessing there's a metal rod inside). Not my cup of tea, but maybe someone will like them.

Like every year, our friends at ausxip.com are hosting their annual charity auction in association with The Starship Foundation, a healthcare service and teaching center for children based in New Zealand.

The Auction is taking place during 21-27 March, and will include TONS of Xena stuff and memorabilia (and luckily some props or replicas).

Friday, March 14, 2014

Screenused.com / iCollector.com is auctioning RIGHT NOW an amazing piece: an original Xena's Breastplate, accompanied with a pair of hooks. It's an unfinished production back-up, but still, a very beautiful piece!

I will make available more info and a list of the props and costumes to be auctioned as soon as I get the green lights from the organizers. They promise it will be the biggest Xena auction since Turners or It's a Wrap!

> Opinion: Gorgeous gorgeous piece! My friend Kelly is selling her authentic full archangel costume, a very rare and iconic costume. It comes complete (except for the wings) and the set includes the original sword prop. The costume has been screen-worn, and thus presents some minor wear and tear, but overall its look is fantastic. Pricey, sure (costumes always are), but a great opportunity to own a very rare piece from the show.

> Opinion: It's not the first nor the second time a sword like this has been posted. It most likely won't be the last either. My opinion remains the same, but the seller it's worth noting. Phil is a great and renamed Xena collector, and has been doing this longer than most of us. Great guy, and his items are always pristine, you can be reassured.

> Opinion: You know I'm a fan of Creation chakram replicas. My chakram comparisons (specially part II) are very clear about it. This is a Second Generation design, with a first-design shadowbox. Beautiful piece, and accept offers, but ships only within US.

> Opinion: From the very same seller, also a Y&Y chakram replica. Note that it DOESN'T include a shadowbox (only a wall-mount), and the blade has engraved the NZ stamp. Nevertheless, it's a cool piece to have (and I know a few people after one of these :p ).

> Opinion: A last hour addition! An unnumbered Xena sword by Creation Entertainment, like the one seen in the Sword Comparisons or in My Collection. Judging from the paint job, I'd say this is a late number (the earlier number usually have a more careful and layered paint in the hilt). Nevertheless, it's a very accurate replica, and more than worth noting here.

> Opinion: Another Icons chakram (and I thought they were rare!). This one is a later number, but it's boxed (like the one we saw here) and it comes with the full set of papers. It's an exceptionally late number, actually - it must have been close to the end of the series. We saw normally later numbers tended to have thicker and blacker contour lines, but this seems to be an exception. MUCH cheaper than the previous one, but ships only with US.

> Opinion: Seller's name is Victoria. She's a very nice collector. She's going through a difficult moment for several reasons, and she's selling off her collection. This is a good opportunity to get a prop from a very iconic episode, S5 "Chakram". These are the bombs she and Amarice threw at the guards of the Chakram Temple. Neat!

> Opinion: I ignore if these were worn by Lucy or a stunt double. Probably the second, it's way more possible. Anyway, Victoria provides the Turners number (PROP# 1549967374) and the COA. Remember you can check Turners original auction list here.

> Opinion: I know the one in the picture is not this exact scabbard. But it reminds me of it. This is the typical shape of a Roman scabbard. Not sure though. Anyway, it's a very cheap prop, it might interest someone.

About me

My chakrams

Here both my Creation Ent chakrams, out of their shadowboxes :)

Welcome to my blog! :)

Hello! I'm Secret Kabeiros! Welcome to my little Xena spot :) I collect, buy and trade Xena props and replicas, above all iconic stuff that belonged to the main characters in their classical outfits. I also help other collectors by putting them in contact and interconnecting them with other buyers, sellers and traders.

I know there are many other Xena pages around, but here I'll try to update as often as possible to show what's cooking around the Xena prop world!